Portable Toilet Explosion, Other Detonations, Linked To 14-Year-Old Who Made IED At Home: Police

YONKERS, NY — A teenager has been connected to a string of explosions in Westchester County.

At approximately 8:15 p.m. on Apr. 6, Yonkers police responded to reports of fireworks being discharged in Bregano Park. Officers canvassed the area, but there was nobody in the park, and there were no signs of fireworks being set off.

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The following morning, a destroyed portable toilet was discovered in the park. The Yonkers Police Department Intelligence Unit took the lead in the ensuing investigation with assistance from the Westchester County Police Hazardous Devices Unit and the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Investigators soon found evidence that a local teenager had been constructing homemade explosive devices consistent with the one used in the explosion at the park.

County, local and federal law enforcement went to the teen's home and placed him into custody. A search of the home led to the recovery of materials used to manufacture explosives. The teen admitted to constructing the device used in the incident, and to being responsible for several other explosions in the area over the last few weeks.

All appropriate safety precautions were taken, and all areas the suspect had access to were thoroughly searched, according to authorities. Investigators said they were able to determine that the teen does not have access to other devices or explosive materials.

"Improvised explosive devices pose a significant danger to the public, regardless of who constructs them or their intent," Yonkers Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza said. "Thanks to the coordinated efforts of our Intelligence Unit and our federal and county partners, this situation was quickly identified and safely resolved. We urge parents and guardians to remain vigilant and aware of potentially dangerous behavior, and to report concerns before they escalate into something far more serious."

Due to restrictions by New York State Law prohibiting the identification of minors charged with a crime, police said the suspect can only be identified as a 14-year-old male resident of Yonkers.

The teen was booked by the Yonkers Police Department Youth Division for criminal possession of a weapon, criminal mischief, and reckless endangerment.